[legendsneverdie]

why not give it a try? who knows... maybe you'll be the one to turn him around!

[Berlunz]

Ask if you can do a 30 day trial. But please keep in the front of your mind that this is only willow's baby and not willow herself. Some horses are very picky about who rides them and unless you "click" thats just it. My last mare and I never "clicked" and we fought it out for a year before my trainer finally gave up as well and said "We have been jumping for 6 months, everytime she sees a jump she acts like its the first time, she still rears when she does not want to do something and you are sliding back in your jumping because you are forced to hang on for dear life everytime she pounces a fence and throws herself over it." Odd thing is everytime I got on her she would be angry and snotty, my step dad could get on her and she would go all day just fine. In fact he is the one who rode her at the production sale she was sold at. He came home and said he got on her and she rode all day long as good as could be, where as when I had gotten on a week earlier in just a halter and lead bareback she kept trying to get out of work(tossing her head like she would do if a bit was in her mouth and I rode her.. but he could ride her with a bit and she wouldnt do a thing. I never pulled her mouth and even used the softest bits and rode without reins and she would flip, last I resorted to the lead and halter).. with him she didnt have to "work" she just had to "behave" and she could live with that. THe people who bought her use her as a trail horse. It could just be he is not willing to work and part of that is temperment and you can never fix that, you just have to live with the horse that way...

Keep remembering that if things are not working that you can take him back. Explain to the owner that there is a very good chance you might bring him back, you just wanted to give him a chance because he was Willow's foal. Its okay to want to try him because he was Willow's foal. Even if he was not her foal it would still be okay to try him, because you need a horse and he needs another chance. But please dont keep him just because he came from Willow... Its like someone breeding a mare with horrible conformation to have a foal to "remember" her by... sentimentality is great, but you have to realize that in holding onto that you are limiting yourself. There are so many great horses out there, not related to Willow that could end up being your best friend as well and end up being exactly what you need... dont hold onto the past in determining your future.

[hil529]

i am seeing both sides here. Very clearly actually and that is why i am so reluctant to make a decision and almost wish it was never an option. I dont want to hurt myself, if I get hurt, than my other 2 babys will be out of the work and consistency they need.

he is not willow's only baby, she has 2 welsh crosses that are a VERY competitive driving team. this guy is just her last one. The problem is he is very unpredictable. will be good one second, and then explode the next for no reason. He has been this way for 6 of his 8yro life. He is offered to me due to the owner's wife (who was his main rider) being unable to ride anymore (not do to him, she has a medical issue that is not allowing her to ride anymore). and they have no use for him. I would not be able to take him back if things didnt work. If I go get him, there will be no trial, he would be mine and thats that. I could sell him, but if he is as bad as they say, i think it would be incredibly hard.

he is a NICE horse. big bay WB with beautiful dapples. moves like his dad, but has his mom's demeanor (at least on the ground). I know its not willow, but its part of her.

the more i think about it, the more im leaning to not taking him. I just do not think it is worth the risk. And I know he would need some pro training, and i cannot afford it. I am just scraping by one lesson a week .. and thats ONE horse. I am going to try to start one a week for both my horses, but I do not think one a week for three would be possible. If I did, showing would be out of the question. And honestly, what is the point of having 3 horses, 2 of which would be my show horses, and not be able to take them anywhere. I know showing isnt everything, and i would be totally happy just trail riding. but I dont have a horse I can trail ride, and this boy wouldnt solve that .. no way would i be taking him out.

I am still waiting for some photos. I have a few yearling/2yro shots of him and one as a 5yro. but I havent seen him in a LONG time. So I am waiting for photos and will decide after I get them.

[shenanigans]

Wow what a dilema, you are still feeling deeply the loss of your beloved Willow & now this fellow presents a situation that is hard to resist.
Its a time when your mind is blurring emotion & logic and you are vulnerable.

I dont know if this is a good time to be making a decision like this, he obviously has issues that you may or may not be able to deal with.
I tend to agree with HHF here, suppose he comes to you & he is the last thing you expected, a bad behaved ill tempered boy...will that change your memories of Willow?
Will you be able to be objective & use your own good common sense if things go bad considering he is a part of Willow? Will you be able to understand he is not & may never be anything like Willow?

How will that effect you personally? If he cant be helped & it turns bad will you be able to walk away knowing you took him in for the right reasons or will you be haunted by the voice in your head saying "what was I thinking?"

Now with that being said, I am not telling you dont do it, its just somethings to consider while your still vulnerable after your loss. Think about it, weigh your options & maybe if your inclined go take a look at him, but do both yourself & him a favour & think seriously before taking action.

And please DONT GET HURT!

Good luck with your decision, I dont envy you the timing of it all.

[Berlunz]

Originally Posted by hil529

i am seeing both sides here. Very clearly actually and that is why i am so reluctant to make a decision and almost wish it was never an option. I dont want to hurt myself, if I get hurt, than my other 2 babys will be out of the work and consistency they need.

he is not willow's only baby, she has 2 welsh crosses that are a VERY competitive driving team. this guy is just her last one. The problem is he is very unpredictable. will be good one second, and then explode the next for no reason. He has been this way for 6 of his 8yro life. He is offered to me due to the owner's wife (who was his main rider) being unable to ride anymore (not do to him, she has a medical issue that is not allowing her to ride anymore). and they have no use for him. I would not be able to take him back if things didnt work. If I go get him, there will be no trial, he would be mine and thats that. I could sell him, but if he is as bad as they say, i think it would be incredibly hard.

he is a NICE horse. big bay WB with beautiful dapples. moves like his dad, but has his mom's demeanor (at least on the ground). I know its not willow, but its part of her.

the more i think about it, the more im leaning to not taking him. I just do not think it is worth the risk. And I know he would need some pro training, and i cannot afford it. I am just scraping by one lesson a week .. and thats ONE horse. I am going to try to start one a week for both my horses, but I do not think one a week for three would be possible. If I did, showing would be out of the question. And honestly, what is the point of having 3 horses, 2 of which would be my show horses, and not be able to take them anywhere. I know showing isnt everything, and i would be totally happy just trail riding. but I dont have a horse I can trail ride, and this boy wouldnt solve that .. no way would i be taking him out.

I am still waiting for some photos. I have a few yearling/2yro shots of him and one as a 5yro. but I havent seen him in a LONG time. So I am waiting for photos and will decide after I get them.

Then if thats the case, the question to ask yourself is, if this WAS NOT Willow's baby, would I even be considering this at all? If the answer is no, then politely refuse. If its maybe then think why, because you want the challenge? Because you want to give him another chance? There is nothing wrong with either of those, but think about the consequences should it not work out. If the challenge is too great, you have no way of getting help and basically will have to give him away to someone who might be able to better manage. You sound like you really dont think you can handle him as described, and there is nothing wrong with confessing to not being able to handle a horse, its a VERY GREAT thing in my own opinion, that someone can see their limitations and not dive in over their heads just for the challenge or because the horse is pretty. If its because you want to give him another chance... there are many other horses out there, who are possibly much better suited to you, who could also use another chance. Once again ask, if he was not Willow's foal, would you choose him over any of those others who need another shot but you are more likely to be able to handle? Also consider that it looks like she is looking for a great home for this horse, so you dont need to worry about his well being, someone else is taking care of him and you dont need to take that burden onto your shoulders because you may feel you owe it to Willow to give him a shot

[HotToTrot]

It sounds like you already know your answer....no

If it were me, I'd take him on tho...

[Berlunz]

Originally Posted by HotToTrot

It sounds like you already know your answer....no

If it were me, I'd take him on tho...

Not trying to bash or rile feathers, but why? It sounds to me like she thinks this horse is too much for her and is only considering it because it was Willow's foal. Why get a horse that you know is over your head? Its only going to get you hurt, and set back money wise as you now have to care for the horse until you can sell it/find it a new home... She cant afford a trainer and though it may be a "free" horse to take, its not going to be a free horse once the medical bills, feed bills etc all add up and she cant afford to get a horse she can ride, and instead is stuck with one who she can't and may end up resenting.

OP: Is there any way you can go out there and try him out a few times before deciding? As in not agreeing to take him, just saying you want to see if you are able to ride him?

[hil529]

I just want to make it clear that I am very capable of handling problem horses. I just do not want to be stuck with a horse that cannot improve. He has had pro trainers on him MULTIPLE times, and even through all of that he has not improved any. I just do not think I want a horse that will be that "green" forever. I have 2 other horses already, and dont "need" another one, but have room for one.

My horse now is very much a problem horse that has LOTS of problems, and I can very well handle it all. I just would much rather a horse that I could pack around on, and maybe even have my mom get back into riding on. This boy is so not that. But the fact that he is willow's baby is making it hard to turn away. and the fact that when he is good, he is FABULOUS and absolutely GORGEOUS! it is just in between those light bulb moments that make it almost not worth it.

I havnet made any decision yet. and dont plan to until i see him. it is just a hard decision to make for me.

[Kat&Ashton]

Originally Posted by hil529

I just want to make it clear that I am very capable of handling problem horses. I just do not want to be stuck with a horse that cannot improve. He has had pro trainers on him MULTIPLE times, and even through all of that he has not improved any. I just do not think I want a horse that will be that "green" forever. I have 2 other horses already, and dont "need" another one, but have room for one.

Thinking with just this statement totally apart from him being Willow baby. If that is the case he most likely is to much for you. Not that you are not a good rider, but pro trainers haven't been able to improve him. Why invest all the that time if he won't improve.

OK I had a emotionall...aww...it is Willow's baby moment.

If Tommy is a handful do you really want another one?

[Haas Horse Farm]

Originally Posted by hil529

i am seeing both sides here. Very clearly actually and that is why i am so reluctant to make a decision and almost wish it was never an option. I don't want to hurt myself, if I get hurt, than my other 2 babies will be out of the work and consistency they need.

he is not willow's only baby, she has 2 welsh crosses that are a VERY competitive driving team. this guy is just her last one. The problem is he is very unpredictable. will be good one second, and then explode the next for no reason. He has been this way for 6 of his 8yro life. He is offered to me due to the owner's wife (who was his main rider) being unable to ride anymore (not do to him, she has a medical issue that is not allowing her to ride anymore). and they have no use for him. I would not be able to take him back if things didn't work. If I go get him, there will be no trial, he would be mine and thats that. I could sell him, but if he is as bad as they say, i think it would be incredibly hard.

he is a NICE horse. big bay WB with beautiful dapples. moves like his dad, but has his mom's demeanor (at least on the ground). I know its not willow, but its part of her.

the more i think about it, the more im leaning to not taking him. I just do not think it is worth the risk. And I know he would need some pro training, and i cannot afford it. I am just scraping by one lesson a week .. and thats ONE horse. I am going to try to start one a week for both my horses, but I do not think one a week for three would be possible. If I did, showing would be out of the question. And honestly, what is the point of having 3 horses, 2 of which would be my show horses, and not be able to take them anywhere. I know showing isn't everything, and i would be totally happy just trail riding. but I don't have a horse I can trail ride, and this boy wouldn't solve that .. no way would i be taking him out.

I am still waiting for some photos. I have a few yearling/2yro shots of him and one as a 5yro. but I haven't seen him in a LONG time. So I am waiting for photos and will decide after I get them.

Originally Posted by hil529

I just want to make it clear that I am very capable of handling problem horses. I just do not want to be stuck with a horse that cannot improve. He has had pro trainers on him MULTIPLE times, and even through all of that he has not improved any. I just do not think I want a horse that will be that "green" forever. I have 2 other horses already, and don't "need" another one, but have room for one.

My horse now is very much a problem horse that has LOTS of problems, and I can very well handle it all. I just would much rather a horse that I could pack around on, and maybe even have my mom get back into riding on. This boy is so not that. But the fact that he is willow's baby is making it hard to turn away. and the fact that when he is good, he is FABULOUS and absolutely GORGEOUS! it is just in between those light bulb moments that make it almost not worth it.

I haven't made any decision yet. and don't plan to until i see him. it is just a hard decision to make for me.

I really think this is key here. If he was no relation to Willow you would not even consider him would you?